I've never gotten a horse for Christmas, although I did receive a shorthorn heifer named Raisin for my birthday one year :)

And in the years I owned a tack shop, Christmas was always a fun season. Not only did we get to stock equine calendars, ornaments, horse books and greeting cards, but it was a lot of fun watching people pick out presents for the horse lovers in their lives. Some lucky people received new bridles, blankets, and even saddles.

So, I ask you - what's the very best horse gift you ever received? Or gave to someone?

6 comments:

For many, many years I dreamed of getting a pony for Christmas. I am sure I dropped many not-so-subtle hints. However, my parents were far too wise and too practical to give me a pony! I don't think our suburban neighborhood would have appreciated the gift either!My favorite horse-related gift that I received was a beautiful leather purse with a small snaffle bit on the front that held the flap closed. The gift, from my Aunt, was a total surprise. I used it for years.

Well, Like Dreaming, I was always one asking for a pony. My parents could have given me a piece of poop, and I would have run around screaming,. "There has to be a pony here SOMEWHERE!"

When I turned 16, I got a Christmas/ birthday present of a life time. My Appy gelding Jack. We were together just shy of 20 years. He died five years ago, at the age of 40. I still miss him every single day. But he was BY FAR the best gift I'd ever gotten!!

Dreaming - what a nice gift. I have a keychain with a snaffle bit on it, that I've carried around for, oh probably 20 years. I think I'm a bit attached to it ;)

Mrs. Mom - Jack lived to be 40? Wow, that's a long time. You must have treated him right, and I know you must have loved him. How exciting to get him for Christmas!

Of course, I also asked for a horse every. single. Christmas. When I finally got one (not at Christmas, but with money I saved myself) my parents sprang for a saddle for me, probably to help keep me safe :)

Any time you get a new horse - it feels like Christmas, don't you think?

My husband gave me his horse for Christmas two years ago. I was already riding and taking care of him (my horse was getting old) so it wasn't a surprise; still, I burst into tears when I saw his photo and knew he was mine.

Barnstorming--Laura Crum

A trail rider's nightmare becomes reality when horse vet Gail McCarthy faces murder on the trail and must hunt down the killer before she becomes the next victim.

Francesca Prescott--Mucho Caliente

Francesca Prescott lives in Switzerland and spent her childhood longing for a pony. With riding lessons only available to children over the age of twelve, Francesca spent years practicing her rising trot on the back ledge of the sofa, galloping imaginary horses all over the neighborhood, and scribbling pony stories. As an adolescent, a move to the countryside and an encounter with a pony-owning farmer finally made regular riding a reality. Decades later, she’s a dressage enthusiast and the proud owner of Qrac, a 9 year-old Lusitano. Her novel, “Mucho Caliente! - Wish upon a Latino Superstar”, a romantic comedy set in Ibiza, is available from Amazon.com.

Jami Davenport--The Gift Horse

City boy Carson receives a temperamental gift horse complete with strings attached: transform a run-down horse farm into a showplace and a disorganized horse trainer bent on self-sabotage into a winner. His horse trainer has her own agenda, one that puts her life and his heart on the line.

Gayle Carline--From The Horse's Mouth: One Lucky Memoir

A young horse tells his story of becoming a champion, suffering an injury, and fighting to return to the show arena to prove he's the same horse he always was, only different.

Alison Hart

The exciting sequel to the Edgar-nominated Shadow Horse, Whirlwind answers readers' questions: what happened to Whirlwind? Will Hugh get caught and punished for his crimes? Does Jas ever find her beloved horse? Do Chase and Jas ever admit they like each other?

Turning For Home - Natalie Keller Reinert

Every racehorse must retire one day, and for Tiger, that day has come. Alex isn't ready to retire her friend, but when an animal rights group accuses her of horse abuse, she and Tiger find they have more to prove than that they can win races.